Films are supposed to be the mirror of our society. Whatever happens in our community, either it is good or evil, are presented through different stories. However, from the last few years, Bollywood movies have become more unrealistic, mindless comedy, predictable, and hungry for that 100 crore club. And sadly, this has become a reality for the audience too.
In this rat race of box office numbers and 100 crores clubs, there are some films and filmmakers who rekindle our hope in Bollywood. The purpose of these movies is not to entertain the audience. But to draw their attention towards the mere reality of the society. So, here is the list of 15 Bollywood movies that are based on social issues and deserve your time.
My Brother Nikhil
My Brother Nikhil is the story of a boy whose life completely changes after he gets diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Even his parents abandoned him and only a few people are with him. It also showcases a gay relationship.
Directed By- Onir
Year- 2005
Available on- Hotstar.
Matrubhumi: A Nation Without Women
Based on a dystopian future, Matrubhumi is a story of a village where there are now no women left. This film focuses on the mindset of the society where a boy’s birth is rejoiced, and a girl’s birth is condemned. There are some heart-wrenching scenes which will make you uncomfortable and more difficult to finish this movie.
Directed By- Manish Jha
Year- 2005
Available on- Zee5
Antardwandh
Marrying a girl to someone against her will is a common practice in our society. But, Antardwandh shows a completely different story where a boy is married to a girl on the gunpoint. Putting forward the issues of dowry and groom kidnapping, Antardwandh is a harsh reality of some parts of society.
Directed by- Sushil Rajpal
Year- 2010
Available on- Google Play Movies
Aligarh
A true story of a professor whose life turns upside down after his privacy is breached by a sting operation and is suspended from the university in which he has served his whole life. It depicts the deep-rooted stigma of our society towards homosexuality. A society where breaching someones’ privacy is not a crime, but loving someone of the same gender is an inexcusable crime.
Directed by- Hansal Mehta
Year- 2016
Available on- Amazon Prime
Udaan
Every parent has some expectations from their child. But sometimes parents put the burden of their dreams on the head of their child. Mirroring the life of all teenagers, Udaan tries to showcase the struggles of a 17-year-old boy whose dreams are crushed under the burden of expectation of his father. Apart from this, Udaan also involves physical abuse and teen anguish.
Directed By- Vikramaditya Motwane
Year- 2010
Available on- Netflix
Well Done Abba
Every year our government launches different schemes for the underprivileged people of our society. But nobody ever cross-checks that whether schemes are even executing on the ground level. Well done Abba is a political satire movie that shows the struggle of a common man who just wants to prevail the funds given by the government and use them to clear the problem of water shortage in his village.
Directed by- Shyam Benegal
Year-2010
Available on- Netflix
Rang De Basanti
Dealing with the issue of corruption and bureaucracy, Rang De Basanti is a perfect example of friendship and youth power. With a parallel narrative of the struggle of freedom, you will be able to connect with the inner conflicts of each of the characters. A must watch for the youth of our country.
Directed By- Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Year- 2006
Available on- Netflix
Peepli Live
Peepli Live is a satirical comedy on the current situation of media and our government. A country where more than half of its economy is dependent on agriculture, yet every year thousands of farmers are committing suicide due to debt and poverty. It also shows the actual face of our media, and how they can go to any extent for the TRP.
Directed By- Anusha Rizvi, Mahmood Farooqui
Year- 2010
Available on- Netflix
Parched
Set in the Backdrop of rural Rajasthan, Parched is a story of three women. This movie shows the reality of women living in these rural areas. And how they do not even have the basic human rights which are provided to every citizen of this country.
Directed By- Leena Yadav
Year- 2016
Available on- Amazon Prime
Hindi Medium
A country where the national language is Hindi, yet the Hindi speakers are seen as illiterate and are a subject of fun for non-Hindi speakers. Hindi Medium is a commentary on the education system, reservation policy, and the mentality of the parents towards government schools. A must watch for everyone.
Directed By- Saket Choudary
Year-2017
Available on- Amazon Prime
Black Friday
Based on the Book of Hasan Zaidi, Black Friday is the story of Mumbai after the Blast of 1993. It shows the havoc created after the blast and how the Mumbai police finally come closer to the real mastermind of these blasts. This film was banned by our government for two years.
Directed By- Anurag Kashyap
Year- 2007
Available on- Hotstar
Pink
This movie left a long-lasting effect on the mind of the audience by putting forward the fundamental yet most ignored right of a woman, and that is consent. It doesn’t matter if the girl is your girlfriend, wife, friend, or even a prostitute. No means no. With a powerful cast of Amitabh Bacchan and Tapsee Pannu, Pink is a must-watch for everyone.
Directed By- Aniruddh Roy Chowdhary
Year-2016
Available On- Netflix, Hotstar
Tare Zameen Par
A story of a boy who is suffering from a rare disease called Dyslexia, but instead of understanding or helping him out. His parents send him to boarding school. This movie sheds light on the ignorant attitude of the parents towards the children and the importance of a teacher in a student’s life.
Directed By- Aamir Khan, Amole Gupte
Year- 2007
Available on- Netflix
Mere Pyare Prime Minister
Even after more than 70 years of Independence, India is still struggling to have proper sanitation for the people living in our rural areas. Even the women are still forced to go outside for the toilet. Keeping this issue in focus, Mere Pyare Prime Minister is a story of an 8-year-old boy who wrote a letter to the prime minister of the country to help him build a toilet for his mother.
Directed By- Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Year- 2018
Available On- Netflix
Eeb Allay Ooo
We all have seen people migrating from their villages to big cities in search of a better job. Eab Allay Ooo is a perfect satire on these people and how they get trapped in the whirlpool of low and unsatisfactory jobs given by our government. This film will make you question about humans, god, and animals.
Directed By- Prateek Vats
Year- 2019
Available on- Youtube
